Commerce finds subsidized non-stick resin imports from India

The Commerce Department determined that U.S. imports of polytetrafluoroethylene resin, a substance typically used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware, from India are receiving export performance-based subsidies from the Indian government.    The Commerce Department has determined that U.S. imports of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from India are receiving export performance-based subsidies from the Indian government.
   PTFE, which is trademarked by DuPont as Teflon, is generally used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware.
   During its investigation, Commerce calculated a preliminary countervailable subsidy rate on 3.9 percent for Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. The department will apply the same rate to all other Indian producers and exporters of this product.
   As a result of this determination, Commerce will instruct Customs and Border Protection to require cash deposits based on this preliminary rate.
   The petitioner for the countervailing duty investigation is The Chemours Co., based in Wilmington, Del.
   Commerce estimated that imports of PTFE resin from India in 2016 were valued at $14.3 million.
   Meanwhile, Commerce is scheduled to announce its final determination in this investigation by May 15.
   If Commerce makes an affirmative final determination, and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) similarly makes an affirmative final determination that imports of PTFE resin from India harm domestic industry, then Commerce will issue a countervailing duty order. If either Commerce’s or the ITC’s final determination is negative, no order will be issued.
   The ITC is scheduled to make its final injury determination about 45 days after Commerce issues its final determination, if affirmative.